Born again

On Sunday, Dec. 4th, a Grammy-winning New Orleans institution, Rebirth Brass Band will be paying another visit to the Granite State, this time at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. Always a raucously fantastic concert, this show is a guaranteed good time with the addition of local brass-fueled soul shakers Mother Superior and the Sliding Royals. Good times shall commence.

SMG caught up with Rebirth's own “Bass Drum Shorty,” a.k.a. Keith Frazier, to chat about the band, about the importance of spreading brass band music, and about giving back and educating youth about a life “off the streets.”

SMG: Let’s talk about “Move Your Body,” the latest recorded work from Rebirth. What sort of goals do you set for the band when you begin the process of making a new studio record? Do you enjoy the studio? Or would you much rather let the music speak for itself from the stage?

Frazier: When the band decides to record, we simply go into the studio and record songs that we play every Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf. As for enjoying the studio, I would say we only enjoy the studio if the recording is a success, resulting in a Big Easy Award or a Grammy nomination.

SMG: Speaking of stages, Rebirth doesn’t stop. You’ve been touring relentlessly. How has winning a Grammy opened up new doors for you?

Frazier: Yeah, winning a Grammy has really opened up some new markets for our band. We have begun to play cities such as Raleigh, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee. Cities that we don’t really have a large following in – but we’re now granted the opportunity to build it up.

SMG: Speaking of added exposure, you guys were featured pretty regularly on the HBO show, “Treme.” You dig working on that set? Do you think the show was a good, filmed “moment-in-time” document of the city? 

Frazier: I was actually surprised by the amount of exposure we received on Treme. We were not expecting to get a major role, however after the pilot aired, the producers thought we should be highlighted more, which was nice. 

I think the show brought to light some of the problems New Orleanians encountered in trying to put their communities back together following Katrina. We’re still working on it.

SMG: Have you ever missed a Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf? It seems like, no matter what the tour itinerary looks like, no matter how busy, you’re always back home on Tuesdays for that residency? How long has it been now? Is Tuesday night Church for the band?

Frazier: We have missed a Tuesday night here and there, unfortunately. But we try real hard not to because the Maple Leaf is like a paid practice and we have the opportunity to see how new material works on a crowd.

SMG: How’d Rebirth come to be? Why’d Rebirth come to be?

Frazier: The band was formed in 1983 by my brother Philip Frazier. It started out as a school project actually. The original band was called The Group, but we were asked to change our name by a guy named Bobby Leonard who was the founder of a youth group named Re-Birth whose mission was to keep young people off the streets of New Orleans. That struck a chord with us.

SMG: You guys have been at it for more than 30 years now. You’ve obviously experienced some turnover at different times with personnel in the band, but you keep bringing the brass-fueled funk/rock. What keeps you inspired after all these years?

Frazier: I think that one of the things that keeps us inspired after 30 years is our genuine love for music. Music allows us to express ourselves, and that’s an important part of the human condition.

SMG: What’s the importance of helping to spread the tradition of brass band music in New Orleans and abroad? Do you enjoy your role at the forefront of that movement? Who else on the scene excites you?

Frazier: It’s important to continue to spread brass band music because it’s one of the truest forms of musical expression. It’s something that we can share with people from all walks of life and ethnicities, and have an immediate and meaningful connection. Furthermore, yeah, we really enjoy our role as innovators of brass band music.

SMG: Can you talk about your involvement with The Roots of Music organization? What’s the importance of “giving back” to your community and helping to steer kids in the right direction through music and education?

Frazier: The band is involved with the Roots of Music by way of Derrick Tabb, our snare drummer, who established the program to introduce kids to instrumental music who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to play a musical instrument. Makes perfect sense given the roots of the band as well.

SMG: You’re headed back to visit us in New Hampshire. This time at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. What keeps you coming to visit us here in the Granite State? What excites you about this particular show?

Frazier: We love visiting the people of New Hampshire! They show us so much love and appreciation for what we do, and it does not matter what venue we play, the people of New Hampshire always come out, dance, smile, and support us. We appreciate that.

SMG: What can folks expect this time around?

Frazier: As always, we never know exactly what we’re going to present to the audience in terms of music (laughs), but the audience can always expect the show to be lively so there’s the expectation that everyone is prepared to dance!

SMG: Do you guys like the Rebirth Pale Ale that NOLA Brewing Company has in bars and on shelves? I myself just got back from a visit a week ago, and boy, that’s some good beer ...

Frazier: The Rebirth Pale Ale by NOLA Brewing Company is really good. I think they did a great job of capturing the essence of all things Rebirth – soulful and refreshing.

Go & Do

What: Rebirth Brass Band with special guest Mother Superior and the Sliding Royales

When: 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4

Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth

Tickets: $30, $25 for members

For tickets and more info: www.3sarts.org